It is easy to feel hopeless in light of the mass shooting in Lewiston as we approach 600 mass shootings in one year. For those who say now is not the time for debate, I agree. We have exhausted every conceivable argument regarding the Second Amendment, assault rifles, limiting magazine size, red flag laws, the human heart, mental illness, and so on.

Let’s focus on the one thing we all agree on: We can not continue on the current path. Action versus debate is required. Sen. Collins and many others have been in office for over 20 years with no progress to show on gun violence. For the sake of our children and grandchildren, our “leaders” must take action on solving this issue or get out of the way!

Steven Westra

Chebeague Island